An example of a sensor for determining a direction of a magnetic field comprises at least one magnetoresistive sensor element for determining the direction of the magnetic field, and at least one further sensor element of another type which is suitable for determining the direction of the magnetic field.

A magnetic sensor includes first to fourth resistor sections and a plurality of MR elements. Each of the plurality of MR elements belongs to any of first to fourth groups. The first to fourth groups are defined based on the areas of top surfaces of the MR elements. The first resistor section, the second resistor section, the third resistor section, and the fourth resistor section are constituted of the first group, the second group, the third group, and the fourth group, respectively; the second group, the first group, the fourth group, and the third group, respectively; the first group, the fourth group, the third group, and the second group, respectively; or the third group, the second group, the first group, and the fourth group, respectively.

During both invasive and non-invasive treatments and therapies, inaccuracies in locating the areas of interest mean that not all the area is treated, or the treatment is incomplete. A magnetic field probe 100, 101, 102, 103 is provided that improves determination of a disposition of an implantable magnetic marker 200, the probe comprising a first 110, 120 and second 110, 120 magnetic sensor, substantially disposed along a transverse axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the probe 150. The first 110, 120 and second 110, 120 magnetic sensors are close to the distal end 160 of the probe, and are separated by a minor sensor separation. A third 120, 130 magnetic sensor is provided close to the proximal end 165, separated by a major sensor separation from the second magnetic sensor 110, 120 close to the distal end 160, the major sensor separation being larger than the minor sensor separation; and the ratio of the major sensor separation to the minor sensor separation is in the range 1.25 to 40, preferably in the range 1.6 to 7.6.

In this example, the second magnetic sensor is functionally configured and arranged to co-operate with both the first magnetic sensor and the third magnetic sensor. This may be implemented using three or more magnetic sensors.

This provides a probe capable of accurately determining one or more dispositions of the implantable magnetic marker when the distal end of the probe is close to the marker and also when it is further away.

In particular, including the pair of sensors close to the distal end may increase the sensitivity and accuracy of the probe.

A magnetic field sensor system comprising a first magnetic field sensor, one or more second magnetic field sensors and an amplifier and all magnetic field sensors are connected in series so that the respective output signals can be added up to a common input signal of the amplifier.

The present disclosure relates to a redundant current sensor (100), comprising, in a common chip package (20), a first integrated magnetoresistive sensor circuit (110A) and a second integrated magnetoresistive sensor circuit (110B).

A magnetic sensor includes a substrate including a top surface, an insulating layer including an inclined surface, and a magnetic detection element disposed on the inclined surface. The magnetic detection element includes a first side surface and a second side surface. The first side surface is located at a position forward in a first direction that is one direction along the inclined surface. The second side surface is located at a position forward in a second direction that is another direction along the inclined surface. The magnetic detection element includes a first non-constant portion in which a gap between an upper end of the first side surface and an upper end of the second side surface becomes smaller along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic detection element.

A magnetic sensor includes a plurality of resistor sections each including a plurality of MR elements, and a plurality of protruding surfaces each structured to cause the plurality of MR elements to detect a specific component of a target magnetic field. The plurality of MR elements are disposed dividedly in first to fourth areas corresponding respectively to the plurality of resistor sections. The plurality of protruding surfaces include a structural body extending across at least two of the first to fourth areas.

A magnetic sensor 1 includes a plurality of MR elements disposed in first to fourth areas. Each of the first to fourth areas includes a first end edge and a second end edge located at both ends in a first reference direction, and a third end edge and a fourth end edge located at both ends in a second reference direction. Each of the first and second end edges extends along the second reference direction. Each of the third and fourth end edges extends along a third reference direction. Each of the plurality of MR elements has a shape long in a direction different from each of the first reference direction, the second reference direction, and the third reference direction.

A magnetic sensor includes an insulating layer including a flat portion and a protruding portion, a first MR element, and a second MR element. The protruding portion includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first MR element is disposed on the first inclined surface. The second MR element is disposed on the second inclined surface. The protruding portion extends in a first direction parallel to a top surface of a substrate, and includes a plurality of recess portions each recessed in a direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate at an end of the protruding portion in the first direction.

A magnetic sensor includes a substrate including a top surface; an insulating layer disposed on the substrate, the insulating layer including first and second inclined surfaces each inclined with respect to the top surface of the substrate; and an MR element structure. An MR element is disposed on the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface. The MR element includes a bottom surface facing the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface, a top surface, and a first surface connecting the bottom surface and the top surface and including two steps.